Good deal on an A31 - and adding wireless?

[TwoSteppin4140]

Quick question - a fried of mine has the chance to purchase a used A31 from a family friend for $125.00 - is that a reasonable deal? Seems like it would be...

Specs:

A31
Pentium 4 Mobile CPU 1.60GHz
1.20 GHz, 256 MB of RAM
14GB HDD
ATI Mobility Radeon 7500


Also - what would be the best/easiest way to go about adding wireless to it? I suggested a USB wireless adapter, but she didn't want to tie up one of the two USB ports all of the time.


Any input is greatly appreciated - thanks!

[goofyGAguy]

Easiest way to add wireless is one of these...


http://cgi.ebay.com/3Com-54-Mbps-802-11 ... 0183463402

[rkawakami]

Easiest way to add wireless (if it already doesn't have it) is to pop in a PCMCIA (aka PC Card) WiFi adapter. Numerous models are available from a whole bunch of companies (Linksys, D-Link, Netgear). Be sure to match the transmission system (e.g., 802.11b, 802.11g) with whatever wireless access point she will be using.

However...

Some systems came from the factory with it already installed. Confirm that the lid looks like the bottom one in this picture:

http://www.rkawakami.net/ibm_t2x/t23_wireless/lid1.jpg

This is a picture of a T23 but notice the "ribbed" plastic near the corner? Behind that is the WiFi antenna. If there is one on either side of an A31 lid, and assuming that the system has not ever been opened up, then it has wireless. You can plug in the seven-character type number into this site:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... OME-LENOVO

and it will tell you how the system was configured when it left the factory. If you see "802.11b wireless(MPCI)" in the product support description, then it already has wireless.

edit: Corrected a couple of points about the availability of built-in wireless.

[pianowizard]

$125 an excellent deal even if it's one of those 1024x768 (i.e. lower display resolution) models, but if it's 1400x1050 then that's even better. Grab it right away!

I too recommend getting a wireless PC card. Get one that supports 802.11g, which is faster than 802.11b.

[ajkula66]

If the machine is working with no issues, that's close to a steal. Get it while you can, Janis would say...

[TwoSteppin4140]

Yea - no go on the wireless, as I thought.

Sounds like the PCI route is the best way to go!


I think I'll see if she wants to upgrade the RAM as well - and I guess that the HDD is 30GB - just some is hidden with the backup partition, right?

Let's say she purchases the computer - will I (she) need a restore disc if she wants to wipe it clean without the backup partition, etc...or can it be done without a disc, like some of the newer models?

I ask because to her I think that having more HDD space is more valuable to her.

[TwoSteppin4140]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6833314009

Something like this would work just fine - right? Her budget is on the smaller end...

[ajkula66]

From what I'm gathering, HDD is probably 20Gb. If the machine has XP COA, I'll gladly burn you a copy of restore disks. If it has W2K (more likely, given the configuration), just post an add in the Marketplace stating that you're looking for those and I'm sure that someone will respond.

The machine is somewhat on the lower end of A3 range, but these still make great desktop replacements, especially at given price. Carrying them around can be a little...difficult at times shall we say.

BTW, these will take up to 2Gb of RAM, and a nice 5400rpm HDD would improve the performance dramatically...look at Harryc's add in Marketplace, he's got an almost new drive at a good price...

Best of luck.

[TwoSteppin4140]

Nice. Yea, I'm not sure how much she is looking to upgrade the machine (it is sitting next to me right now - it is XP) - and I can see where the awkwardness of carrying it would come in. :lol

Her computer died and so this is a cheap fix - but I'm going to suggest upping the RAM to at least 512, if not 1GB (doubt it) and we're going to her aunt's this afternoon because she thinks she has a wireless card, so if that works then she'll be in good shape.

Battery life is pretty shoddy it seems - but it has the charger and I found a new battery for around $40, if need be.

Also, it comes with MS Office (2003) on it too...so, yea, an all around good deal.

I'll have her check on the restore discs, etc...

I apprecaite all the help!

[proaudioguy]

Nice. Yea, I'm not sure how much she is looking to upgrade the machine (it is sitting next to me right now - it is XP) - and I can see where the awkwardness of carrying it would come in. :lol

Her computer died and so this is a cheap fix - but I'm going to suggest upping the RAM to at least 512, if not 1GB (doubt it) and we're going to her aunt's this afternoon because she thinks she has a wireless card, so if that works then she'll be in good shape.

Battery life is pretty shoddy it seems - but it has the charger and I found a new battery for around $40, if need be.

Also, it comes with MS Office (2003) on it too...so, yea, an all around good deal.

I'll have her check on the restore discs, etc...

I apprecaite all the help!

I can help you out with restore discs (copies of XP or 2000) and RAM. I have a spare 256Meg stick of IBM Ram out of one of my A31s. PM me if you are interested.

Another good option is to upgrade the CPU (up to 2.6GHz, with 2.4GHz being the most popular upgrade). Also using a 7200 RPM hard drive will make a huge difference. More than the RAM and CPU in some instances.